It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wilmer Brandt on April 8, 2022 at the age of 87 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosella, of 62+ years, six children, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Gareth (Cyndy) Brandt and their children, Joel (and his daughter Gemma), Adriel (Laura), Sarina and Micah; Arlene (Art) Phillips and their children Jordan and Megan; Glenn Brandt and his son Josh; Bonnie Brandt (Colette Ross); Jennifer (Cory) Pratt and their children, Adam, Kylee and Charissa (Ian and their children Aaron, Benjamin and Levi); and Karen (Steven) Cavers and their children, Jeremias and Miranda. Wilmer is also survived by two siblings: Alvin (Adina) Brandt and Betty (George) Simenov. He was predeceased by his parents, Abram and Aganetha Brandt, two infant sisters and granddaughter Destiny.
Although his birth certificate says Wilmer was born on February 14th (and his children thought it was very cool to have a birthday on Valentine’s Day), his mother insisted that his father got the date wrong at the time of registration, and that he was actually born on February 15, 1935. Wilmer was born at his parents’ home in Hochfeld, MB where they lived until 1952 when the family moved to Blumenort, MB. At age 17, Wilmer was baptized at the Blumenort Klienegemeinde Mennonite Church (now Evangelical Mennonite). Wilmer worked on the family farm until he married Rosella Friesen on September 13, 1959. They established a farm together north of Blumenort where Gareth, Arlene and Glenn were born. In Fall 1967 they moved to a farm just north of Wawanesa, MB where Bonnie, Jennifer and Karen joined the family. Wawanesa was where Wilmer and Rosella largely raised their family, spent 32 of their best years and is the place Wilmer remembered most fondly as “home”. When Wilmer retired from farming in November, 1999, he and Rosella moved to Lorette, and later to Landmark, where Wilmer enjoyed working alongside Glenn for a number of years. Much to his surprise, Wilmer agreed to move to the big city (Winnipeg, MB) in June, 2018. Wilmer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which necessitated him being admitted to Park Manor Personal Care Home, Winnipeg in June, 2021 where he passed away.
Wilmer was steadfast, hard-working and a man of deep faith. We will miss his quiet presence deeply but are comforted knowing that he is at peace in his Heavenly Father’s arms.
Service information is listed below, if attending, mask use is kindly requested.
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